Special Education Teaching Assistant / Paraprofessional – Tri County Connections Academy

Special Education Teaching Assistant / Paraprofessional – Tri County Connections
Academy

About TriCounty Connections Academy
A therapeutic day school for students with complex social-emotional and behavioral needs,
grounded in trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and an unwavering belief in every
student's capacity for growth and healing.

We're Seeking a TA Who Is:

● Deeply Relational & Trauma-Informed: Prioritizes connection, builds trust, and applies
trauma-informed principles in daily interactions.
● Calm & Consistent: Can remain regulated, responding with consistency and
compassion even in a crisis.
● Proactive & Collaborative: Anticipates needs, supports instruction for regulation and
social skills, and works closely with the classroom teacher and team.
● Committed to Skill-Building: Focuses on teaching emotional regulation, social
connection, academic progress, and resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

● Foster Safety: Build relationships, help maintain a safe environment, and implement
co-regulation/safety plans calmly during crisis.
● Support Learning: Assist with instructional materials, support students one-on-one or in
small groups with differentiated lessons and IEP goals, and integrate academic learning
with social-emotional skill-building.
● Teamwork: Work interdependently with the team, participate in reflective
problem-solving, and engage in debriefs after challenges.
● Use Best Practices: Approach all behavior as communication, implement positive
behavior supports and restorative practices, and protect student dignity.
● Monitor: Collect data on academic, behavioral, and social-emotional progress to help
drive team decisions.

Qualifications:

● Required: High School Diploma/GED, Illinois Paraprofessional Educator License (or
willingness to obtain), and commitment to trauma-informed, restorative practices.
Physically able to participate in crisis management training. Ability to team lift 100 pounds and pull/push 75 pounds.
● Essential Dispositions: Curiosity over judgment, humility, resilience, cultural
responsiveness, and commitment to equity.

Why This Role Matters:

You will be the consistent adult proving students are "worth the effort," modeling regulation, and
building essential skills. This is deeply meaningful work that changes lives through relationships
and unwavering belief.